Christmas has come and gone, the new year is here, and we’re in the middle of summer. Brisbane in January comes with plenty to see and do. Here’s our pick of things for you to do this January.
1. Become razzle dazzled at Chicago the Musical
Chicago, the multi-award winning musical, will paint the town with murder, greed, corruption and all that jazz this January. The slick show is set to razzle dazzle crowds at QPAC from January 4 to February 4.
2. Visit the first official NBA Exhibition
The NBA Exhibition has begun its tour of Australia, with a first stop in Brisbane. This extensive look into the world of basketball is open now at Queens Plaza.
Over 50 pieces of rare and autographed NBA merchandise are on display throughout the exhibition. Fans will also have the unique opportunity to get up close and personal with items that have played a significant role in shaping the league’s history.
Secure your spot here
3. Celebrate the Australian Open at Lina Rooftop
Aperol is the official partner of the Australian Open this year, and to celebrate, Brisbane’s Lina Rooftop is turning its sky-high space into a themed pop-up comprising of orange hues, DJs, Aperol Spritzes and tasty bites, all while the tennis matches play on the big screen.
The Aperol activation will stick around from January 14 to 29, with a huge lawn party taking place on January 28.
4. Find your next favourite read at Queensland’s biggest book fair
The Lifeline Bookfest is back in Brisbane from January 13 – 21, taking over the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre. You’ll be spoilt for choice on a huge range of pre-loved books starting at $2.50. If you’re in need of a book haul, you might want to save it for this event. You never know what you might find this time around.
5. Become enchanted at this fairy tales festival
If you haven’t visited GOMA’s Fairy Tales exhibition yet, you might want to wait until this month. A magical fairy tales festival is popping up from January 19 to 21, where you can catch whimsical performances, storytelling sessions, movie screenings and more.
6. Gather the gang for a 90s karaoke brunch
What’s better than a bottomless brunch? One with karaoke involved of course. King Street’s retro crab shack Claw is hosting 90s-themed karaoke brunches every Saturday from 1 – 3pm starting January 6.
For $69 per person, you’ll get two hours of karaoke, unlimited cocktails, wine and beer, alongside a five-dish set menu featuring prawn tacos, jalapeno poppers, fried chicken wings, garlic bread and corn chips.
Secure spots for you and your karaoke crew here
7. Elevate your wellness schedule with $25 bathhouse sessions
If you’re looking for ways to elevate your wellness schedule in 2024 — without breaking the bank — look no further than Vikasati. This Red Hill wellness club is home to both a well-stocked gym as well as a relaxing bathhouse aptly named The Sanctuary.
The Sanctuary is decked out with both hot and cold magnesium plunge pools, a Finnish sauna, outdoor showers and ice baths (if you’re up for the chilly challenge). Each 90-minute session includes free use of the bathhouse facilities, which is a perfect amount of time to de-stress or recover from your gym training.
The weekly membership is just $25 per week and allows you to visit the bathhouse for a session once a week. It also gives you the option to hop in the infrared sauna for a discounted price of $25.
8. Dine in the vines at this Brisbane winery
On a hot day during summer, sometimes we don’t want to leave the inside air conditioning until the sun goes down. Naturally, this makes outdoor dining best around sunset, when the temperature drops a little. And where better to spend golden hour than a winery, surrounded by lush vines? Sirromet Winery has launched a new event to celebrate summer in style, premium drops and charcuterie included.
9. Catch a jawdropping performance at Brisbane’s newest cabaret club
The second Pink Flamingo Spiegelclub has opened in semi-permanent pavilion at Northshore, just in time for the summer fun.
Like its Gold Coast predecessor, you can expect a wild ride of glitz and glamour, with 1920s art-deco décor, intoxicating performances from an array of talented artists, as well as cocktails and bites while you enjoy the show.
10. Experience a Candlelight Concert
Candlelight’s candle-music combo has enchanted Brisbane audiences since the captivating concerts first took to the stage. The memorable evenings have shone a new light on live performances, making classical music or music performed by classically-trained musicians more accessible and open to everybody than ever before.
Transforming unique and iconic venues across the city with a sea of candles, the evenings are perfect for romantic rendezvous, dates with mates and outings with your favourite friends, as well as, the ultimate treat to oneself because you really don’t need anyone else to experience an hour of beautiful live music.
Upcoming Candlelight Concerts in Brisbane
11. Skipper you and your mates down the Brisbane River on these BYO electric boats
GoBoat have become the easiest way for you and your friends to enjoy time on the water. The boats—constructed from fibreglass, which uses recycled PET bottles instead of virgin glass—are powered by an electric motor and have a top speed of seven kilometres per hour.
This means that you don’t need a license to skipper them and anyone over the age of eighteen can be captain for a day.
12. Experience a live Tony Hawk skateboarding show
Immerse yourself in a Tony Hawk video game, but in real life from Fortitude Music Hall on Saturday, January 27. An 11-foot skating ramp will be installed in the middle of the venue, where you’ll see a live demonstration from Tony Hawk himself, alongside other global skating legends.
There will be plenty of live music across the two sessions as well, including sets from Bodyjar, Alex Lahey, DZ Deathrays and Teenage Joans.
13. Watch the Pulitzer Prize-winning ‘RENT’ musical
Walk through the vibrant streets of New York City’s East Village and celebrate life, love and the human spirit with this Pulitzer Prize-winning show. This retelling of the 1896 opera La Bohème focuses on struggling young artists, as they navigate their lives under the shadow of HIV/AIDS.
14. Take a dip in these Brisbane swimming pools for just $2
If you’re looking for somewhere to go swimming this summer, but don’t want to leave Brisbane or go to Streets Beach, then look no further, because Brisbane City Council is launching $2 summer dips at their 22 public pools around the city.
Until February 29, entry prices will be slashed across Brisbane’s public swimming pools, from $6.40 per person to just $2.
15. Get a burger and beer for $15
If you’re looking for an cheap and filling meal on a Thursday, head to Brooklyn Depot in Fortitude Valley, Stones Corner or South Bank for a burger or hotdog accompanied with a tap beer for just $15.
16. Satisfy your sweet tooth at this new souffle pancake store
Chermside has scored a new souffle pancake spot, so if you’re down for dessert, head to Souffle Japancakes for fluffy and jiggly souffle pancake varieties such as Philadelphia berry cheesecake, creme brulee, matcha, Oreo and Nutella as well as savoury eggs benedict souffle topped with ham and mushroom or smoked salmon and avo.
Souffle Japancakes also serves up mochi gelato, perfect to cool down with on a hot summer day.
You can find the store at Chermside Shopping Centre, near Starbucks.
17. … or with a coffee-filled doughnut at Kenilworth Bakery
Thanks to its viral coffee doughnuts and 1kg doughnut challenge, Kenilworth Bakery has become a go-to spot on a day trip from Brisbane. After opening a second store in Mooloolaba in 2022, the bakery has now expanded to Bribie Island with their third store.
18. Take a dip at one of these magical swimming holes near Brisbane
Summer among us, and so is the humidity that comes with it. Just outside of the city, you’ll find some of the best swimming holes in Australia. These natural freshwater pools are filled up and ready for you to take a dip.
The best swimming holes near Brisbane
19. Meet adorable rescue deer at this sanctuary in Samford
Tucked away in a serene hideaway just thirty minutes north of Brisbane, Lyell Deer Sanctuary is the perfect spot to get up close and personal with adorable rescue deer of all sorts, from red and rusa to fallow deer.
The sanctuary, usually open to the public on weekends, is a family-run animal rescue service, home to not only deer but also goats, cows, chickens, guinea pigs, peacocks and more.
20. Walk through a free flower exhibition
A stunning flower exhibition has opened at the Museum of Brisbane, where you can take a look at a lush collection of paintings, textiles, sculptures, ceramics and new media from more than 20 established and emerging local artists.
It’s free entry too!
21. Head down to the Gold Coast and snap photos in an upside down house
Head down to Pacific Fair to see an inverted house that looks like it dropped straight from the sky. When you enter, you’ll walk on ceilings and explore heaps of upside-down rooms.
22. Check out the newly renovated Springlake Hotel
The popular Springlake Hotel has reopened after a multi-million dollar revamp, with new indoor and outdoor spaces to enjoy as well as a smokehouse offering.
23. Rent your own private swimming pool
No pool? No worries. Just borrow one from a stranger for a few hours. There’s a genius new way to beat the heat and it won’t burn a hole in your pocket. There’s an Airbnb-style concept in the market called Swimply but exclusively for pools and it’s giving everyone a chance to get in on the fun. Pool owners can rent out their pools and those who want to splash around in a pool for a day can rent one for surprisingly low costs.
24. Take the kids to a Thomas the Tank Engine pop-up
Immerse yourself and the little ones in a day of entertainment galore at this Thomas the Tank Engine experience in Ipswich, which is jam-packed with carnival rides, face painting, track building, arts and crafts, intriguing trails, movies, and more.
25. Grab a drink at this new bar in the Valley
Hidden behind a green door with a brass knocker, this intimate Fortitude Valley bar is perfect for those who prefer a drink in small but intimate spaces.